Christie targets 'fake farmers'

9:00 AM,
Feb. 28, 2013

Cordwood

Written by

Todd B. Bates
@ToddBBatesAPP

Legislation aimed at weeding out "fake farmers" who get huge property tax breaks as a result of farmland assessment has been sent to Gov. Chris Christie for consideration.

A 2010 NJ Press Media investigation found that numerous developers, millionaires and other landowners in New Jersey get 98 percent tax breaks, thanks to an outdated farmland assessment law and spotty enforcement. Landowners can limit their taxes by selling $500 a year in goods.

NJ Press Media found one homeowner who used a cow to trim his front lawn and later sold the animal. Others forged a signature or grew weeds in bids to ...